Sadly yes, Sir Bart. I fell foul of the Frenchmen's cops last time I was in Calais. I was innocently waiting behind a hedge for my carriage to arrive, when these beastly uniformed thugs carried me off. I think they said something about a convent, but I'm not sure as I pay little heed to anyone who can't be bothered to learn English.

How unfortunate Lord Spot, there's nothin worse than a brush with the peelers, wot, wot. I once had to stand as a reference of good character for the Skullery Maid when she was accused of pulling off a policeman's helmet.

The smoke wafted gently in the breeze across the poop deck and all seemed right in the world.

Ah yes - I know the chap! I spoke to Sister Immaculata from the convent, she says that particular constable is always getting her to blow into his breathalyser.

"I don't mean to sound bitter, cynical or cruel; but I am, so that's how it comes out." ~ Bill Hicks."To argue with a person who has renounced reason is like administering medicine to the dead." ~ Thomas Paine."One should not believe everything one reads on the internet." ~ Abraham Lincoln."If you're making a political point wearing a balaclava, you're a c***. It was true for the IRA and it's true now." ~ daftbeaker.

What a thing for an upstanding member of a law-enforcement agency to be doing - I confess myself frankly appalled! Honestly, if the working classes are not going to set a decent example for the rest of us chaps, then what bally use are they, one wonders? It makes me feel quite downhearted, although my spirits are somewhat buoyed by an invitation to tea and crumpets this afternoon with a gentleman of whom I am very fond - such a strapping, handsome young man, and recently come into his inheritance! I shall be sure to ask him what can be done about the lax moral standards of certain residents of the area though. If nothing else, I am convinced we should be patrolling the hedges more often...

"There's a hell of a good universe next door, let's go!" e e cummings

"And the new day was a great big fish." Terry Pratchett

"WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN?" Terry Pratchett (yes again, I'm afraid. He's my absolute favourite author)

Absolutely Lady La La ( why is that name so familiar?)...I shall instruct the game keeper to be on the lookout for lurkers in the larches, flashers in the fir trees and ....well, I dread to think what might be going on in the beeches.

The smoke wafted gently in the breeze across the poop deck and all seemed right in the world.

Ah, how right you are Sir DaveL, how touching and how frightful Duchess Bette was indeed. And you recall to my mind a more innocent time, before the bloom of youth was so artfully corrupted. And how little fun there was to be had in those more innocent times! What with the attentions of chaperones and with the arduous task of maintaining one's place in society, why, one was almost forced to act respectably much of the time! Are we not so much better off in these modern and freeing times? I grow weary of the call for a return to a more moral era, but I take solace in the sure knowledge that where there are morals there are always those who work tirelessly to undermine them. If it weren't for that I should become quite downhearted!

"There's a hell of a good universe next door, let's go!" e e cummings

"And the new day was a great big fish." Terry Pratchett

"WHAT CAN THE HARVEST HOPE FOR, IF NOT FOR THE CARE OF THE REAPER MAN?" Terry Pratchett (yes again, I'm afraid. He's my absolute favourite author)

Quite quite Sir DaveL , improper of Mr. O' Shuffle to have his bird out this time of the season.This reminds me , thee Countess Twisty is hosting a dinner party next Friday , she enquired if i might stuff her bird , i believe i shall be up for thee task.

Remembering St. JohnRemembering Auntie DeeDeeRemembering times of innocence